Allow DNA Testing for Kirstin Blaise Lobato

Kirstin Blaise Lobato is an innocent woman stuck in prison while evidence in her case goes untested for DNA.

In 2002 at 19 years old, Kirstin was convicted for the murder and sexual assault of a homeless man named Duran Bailey in Las Vegas. But there was no physical evidence tying Kirstin to the crime and the evidence that was tested for DNA actually excluded her. There were four identifiable crime scene fingerprints - none matched Kirstin’s. A bloody shoe print was found next to the body and a footprint expert testified that it came from a “U.S. men’s size 9 athletic shoe.” Pubic hair found on the victim was tested for DNA and the results excluded both Blaise and the victim as the hair’s source. Multiple people testified that Kirstin was nearly 200 miles away from Las Vegas at the time of the crime.

What happened to Kirstin could happen to anyone. But now, Kirstin has the opportunity to prove her innocence if Clark County District Attorney Stephen Wolfson makes two very reasonable decisions: to allow DNA testing of crime scene evidence and to not file any opposition to Kirstin’s appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.

The Innocence Project, an organization whose DNA testing work has freed 292 innocent people from prison, has offered to pay to test and re-test 13 pieces of evidence related to the crime using the latest in DNA technology and Wolfson still won’t allow it.

In addition to the DNA evidence, Kirstin has proven her innocence by way of her Habeas Corpus petition's new evidence grounds. If the State of Nevada District Attorney doesn't oppose her Appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court, justice will finally be served and she can regain her life.

Clark County District Attorney Stephen Wolfson has a chance to do the right thing and to seek true justice in the murder of Duran Bailey.

Please sign this petition and ask District Attorney Wolfson to allow DNA testing of crime scene evidence and to not file any opposition to Kirstin’s appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Letter to

District Attorrney's officeNevada District Attorney Steven Wolfson

Clark County District AttorneySteven Wolson

Attorney GeneralCatherine M Cortez

and 8 others

Steven Owens

Chris Giunchigliani

Mary Beth Scow

Lawrence Weekly

Larry Brown

Tom Collins

Susan Brager

Steve Sisolak

I’m writing today to ask that you support the Innocence Project's offer to conduct DNA testing and retesting of crime scene evidence from the Duran Bailey murder. This would likely prove the innocence of Kirstin Blaise Lobato.

Clark County Commissioners appointed District Attorney Wolfson, who is blocking the effort to simply test DNA evidence. As a County Commissioner, you are directly responsible for taking action and demanding that DA Wolfson allow this testing to take place.

As District Attorney, you are charged with seeking justice, not preventing it. There is no physical evidence tying Kirstin Blaise Lobato to this crime and if you truly believe that she is guilty, then you should allow the testing of evidence to confirm this.

The Innocence Project has offered to pay for this testing and since 1994, 292 people have been exonerated through DNA testing in the United States. In some cases, DNA testing has also supported the prosecutor’s case and confirmed guilt. The bottom line is, it’s clear that the only reason your office would oppose testing is out of concern that Ms. Lobato would be proven innocent. That is a perversion of justice.

Please District Attorney Wolfson, do the right thing: allow DNA testing to take place and do not file any opposition to Kirstin Blaise Lobato’s appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.